Wendy Jones Email & Phone Number

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

The mission of MARCO is to educate, advocate, and mobilize resources to grow the community-based recovery movement across Minnesota. MARCO does this through: Mentorship and Professional Development: Through collaboration with its members and partners, MARCO mentors and supports emerging, new and established organizations to promote the growth, sustainability, and fidelity of RCOs throughout Minnesota. Public Education: MARCO raises awareness about Substance Use Disorder and substance use issues and promotes a recovery-oriented system of care through public events and activities.Advocacy: MARCO educates policymakers on substance use and recovery issues and promotes the fidelity of the community-based RCO model across the continuum of care. MARCO represents the interests of RCOs by participating in state policy discussions, advisory boards, commissions, and other forums.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Established in 2010 as Minnesota’s first Recovery Community Organization (RCO), MRC is a grassroots,501c3 nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the recovery community through peer-to-peer support services, public education and advocacy.KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS:• Led board, staff members and community peer advisory council to develop organizational theory ofchange and implement FY20-22 strategic plan with three key priorities: mobilizing the recoverycommunity, empowering recovery advocacy, and strengthening our capacity to deliver on our mission.• Increased organization’s annual revenue from $450K to $1.5 million and diversified funding streams.Expanded corporate and private foundation support from $0 to $250,000 annual; implementedMedicaid billing for Peer Recovery Support Services.• Established peer recovery support service hubs specializing in housing navigation, justiceinvolved populations, child protective services engagement, and general recovery navigationassistance. Over 300% increase in direct service participants, reaching approximately 50,000annually.• Expanded peer recovery specialist workforce training and continuing education services from 60annual training participants to over 400. Implemented a collaborative recovery coach trainingmodel with Sober Squad, an indigenous recovery movement originating in Mille Lacs, to recruitand train over 100 members of Minnesota’s tribal nations to be peer recovery coaches.• Provided fiscal sponsorship and mentorship for emerging Recovery Community Organizations inSaint Cloud, Duluth, and Twin Cities’ East African Community.• Led and coordinated the Minnesota Alliance of Recovery Community Organizations, an emergingstatewide coalition of community-based Recovery Community Organizations.• Secured $2 million annual legislative appropriation over three years for the development ofRecovery Community Organization infrastructure in Minnesota, beginning in FY22.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Led high-performing teams in creating innovative learning experiences across diverse platforms. As member of the Senior Leadership Team, worked with CEO and Board of Directors to set and implement strategy for the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS). Directed public programs and special events, school programs, guest services, diversity outreach initiatives, digital learning, curriculum product development, statewide teacher professional development services, National History Day in Minnesota program, and History Center museum operations. Managed eight direct reports, 70+ indirect reports, and a $6.3M annual budget. KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS:• Reorganized new Education Division into six departments to reflect institutional priorities and changing audience needs: Inclusion and Community Engagement, Public Programs and Lifelong Learning, Guest Services, Digital Learning and Assessment, Higher Education and Educational Equity, and K12 Programs and Services.• Directed the implementation of centralized K12 field trip scheduling to improve customer service across five sites and realign resources for greater efficiency. • Led “Play the Past” mobile learning initiative (www.mnhs.org/playthepast), receiving a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) award, American Alliance of Museum’s Muse Award, American Association of State and Local Leadership in History Award, and the Serious Play Gold Award.• Received Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) planning grant for “Together in Time”, a partnership with National Museums Liverpool (UK) to develop an American version of the House of Memories app and related programming for people with memory loss and their care partners.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Contributed to institutional management as a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Directed strategic priority to broaden and deepen engagement of adult (50+) learners as program participants, members and donors. Directed History Center museum operations and ticketing; led public and school programs and statewide outreach initiatives. Managed 11 direct reports, 50+ indirect reports, and a $4.5M annual budget. KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS:• Developed cross-departmental Lifelong Learning strategic priority to deepen and expand MNHS engagement with adults age 50+. Implemented Skills-Based Volunteer initiative, business plan for audience growth, accessibility improvements, and programs for people with memory loss and their care partners. • Directed the implementation of centralized Box Office to improve customer service across 13 MNHS sites and realign resources for greater efficiency (60,000 annual ticket sales for programs/events).• Led education development, prototyping and testing for Then, Now, Wow exhibit, targeted at school groups and families with school-aged children. Opened November, 2012. Achieved 73% increase in family attendance and 19% increase in school group attendance from FY12 to FY13. • Created and directed the development of “Tweeting the Civil War” project to engage diverse learners and increase awareness of Minnesota Civil War history. Realized over 1,500 followers on Twitter. • Oversaw development of U.S. Dakota War of 1862 sesquicentennial public programs and Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byways mobile history tour.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Led Minnesota History Center public programs and general audience outreach, K-12 school programs and outreach, exhibit-based interpretive programs, and museum visitor services/admissions. Created annual program plan and participated in development of annual exhibition and marketing plan. Acquired funds to support programs, managed budgets, and provided leadership on MNHS-wide education initiatives. KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS:• Launched “Play the Past” mobile learning initiative (2011 IMLS National Leadership Grant recipient) to create a new model for school field trips using mobile and web technologies. • Implemented statewide partnership with the Minnesota Regional Public Library Systems to increase participation in high quality history programming. 900+ programs were delivered in 12 library districts.• Launched “Creating Success for 21st Century Learners” project to transform school programs. Created cross-functional work team; coordinated new site programs, yielding 37% increase in teacher approval; and implemented standard field trip evaluation across 13 historic sites and museums. • Deployed “History Live” interactive video conferencing program in FY11 to improve service to MN schools and expand programs to national audiences. • Implemented statewide “Sharing Community Stories” project, an initiative to bring young adults and senior citizens together for deep intergenerational learning experiences that document community history. • Implemented ongoing partnership with the Minnesota State Fair Foundation to promote history education through a walking tour, mobile tour, and Minnesota History Day at the Fair.• Converted Information Desk into Visitor Services Unit during History Center’s transition from free to paid admission. Created box office and expanded ticketed programs and group tour sales to support History Center’s brand as a presenting organization. Executed online ticketing for public programs.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Assumed management of new Interpretive Programs Unit at the Minnesota History Center, including work plan and budget development. Hired, trained and supervised department staff, volunteers, and contractors. Planned and oversaw creation of all museum gallery programs. Served as the Education Department representative on exhibition development teams. Provided oversight for museum operations. KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS:• Developed live interpretive program for MNHS’s Mill City Museum in Minneapolis (opened 2003); Co-created museum exhibits as Education representative on exhibit development team. • Deployed “History Player in the Classroom” program and curriculum, successfully serving 12,000 students annually. • Implemented community volunteer programs for Our Gathering Places: African Americans in Minnesota exhibit and Unpacking on the Prairie: Jewish Women in the Upper Midwest exhibit. • Created, developed and implemented interpretive programs for new Minnesota History Center museum galleries, including History Players and History a la Cart programs. • Developed program operating procedures and interpreter training program and materials for History Center museum. Created evaluation procedures for all interpretive programs.

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), History

Master'S Degree, Public Affairs

Humphrey Policy Fellow

Education record

The James P. Shannon Leadership Institute is a yearlong leadership program that offers community-serving leaders from all sectors.